Master of Arts in Policy Studies

Our Program

The Master of Arts in Policy Studies program is a community of people who believe policy can make a difference.

As a policy studies student, you will learn to apply social science theories to real-world concerns. You will use research to define and measure policy problems and to develop, evaluate, and implement solutions. You will become a policy actor, equipped for professional policy work in public, private, and non-profit sectors, and will know how to pursue your craft with integrity.

The program is comprised of students, scholars, and policy professionals who collaborate in policy arenas such as environment & energy, labor, education, human rights, local and state government, and technology. Faculty and student research contributes to the academic body of knowledge, promotes public education, and engages in the major contemporary policy debates.

The curriculum designed on a cohort model; students are therefore only admitted in Autumn Quarter (and not during Winter, Spring, and Summer Quarters).

Our programs are structured with classes offered in the evening to serve non-traditional students, including working professionals. Consequently, all required classes meet on the UW Bothell campus twice a week, after 5 pm. While you are welcome to work while enrolled in the program, please note that because the programs are rigorous, it is beneficial to have the ability to adjust your work schedule to allow more focus on your studies during periods when your academic workload intensifies.

If this is the academic environment and career path you have in mind, please explore what we have to offer. We'd love to have you join us!